Tickets are on sale now for the 11th annual NW Hope & Healing Fashion Show, coming to the Showbox Sodo on May 9th. More than 30 breast cancer survivors will walk the runway to showcase spring fashion trends from local boutiques including Carmilia’s, Coastal Surf Boutique, West Seattle Runner, Howard & Marge, Canopy Blue, The briK, Queen Anne Dispatch, Veridis Clothier and Blue Luna. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Northwest Hope and Healing Patient Assistance Fund in an effort to offer financial assistance to women in the Puget Sound area who are battling breast cancer. To date, over 1,800 women have received grants from the fund. Tickets to the event range from $40 for general admission up to $200 for front row VIP access.

The Salt Mine Arium in Belleve just might be one of the Eastside's best kept health and wellness secrets. Tucked away off Bel-Red road, the European style spa is the first in the Northwest to offer halotherapy. A salt therapy treatment traditionally found in central and eastern Europe where salt caves occur naturally and locals visit them to experience holistic healing. If you've never heard of halotherapy, it's probably because there are less than 30 companies in the U.S. that offer it. Two years ago when owners Annett and Mattias, started developing a plan open a halotherapy spa, there were less than five. The Salt Mine Arium hopes to change that by sharing their knowledge of salt therapy with clients and showcasing the many ways it can be a helpful way to support and promote overall health. In the Northwest, common ailments that can be treated by salt therapy include seasonal allergies, eczema (and other skin conditions), asthma, chronic fatigue, stress, depression and more.

The walls and floors of the salt rooms at the Mine Arium are constructed out of real bricks of Himalayan Salt, the purest salt on earth. The Halo Generator is the heart of each spa room working to produce and disperse a fine saline mist which helps open airways, oxygenate the the bloodstream, stimulate micro-circulation, and balance trace minerals and energy throughout the body. It may sound strange, but it works. The owners, both originally from Germany, have worked hard to re-create the elements found in traditional salt caves and have added a few new things to help enhance the guest experience including a careful infusion of color therapy and soothing music. Yoga enthusiasts, naturopathic doctors and even the local athletic community have all discovered the health benefits of halotherapy. There's even a salt box (instead of a traditional sandbox) for children to play in as they receive salt therapy too!

Unlike a traditional spa, at the Salt Mine Arium you experience halotherapy fully clothed while relaxing in a zero gravity chair (designed to help alleviate pressure on your spine) and draped in a warm blanket (if you choose). The calming effect of the lighting, soft music and in-room waterfall help you to gently relax in a soothing micro-climate of negative ions. Sessions start every hour on the hour and last approx. 55 minutes. Up to 8 guests can experience halotherapy at the same time making this a great way to relax and unwind with friends and family.

Curious about salt therapy? Check out the space at one of the many Salt Mine Arium events. There's something for everyone including yoga classes, group meditations, and workshops led by naturopathic doctors. For a limited time only, the Salt Mine Arium is offering new clients a special price of $75 for three, 50 minute halotherapy sessions.

Stylish Seattleites are gearing up for this year's Wine, Women & Shoes event taking place at The Four Seasons on May 2nd. In recognition of “National Mental Health Month” and “Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week” taking place May 5th through the 11th, the Seattle Children’s Home invites women to slip into their stilettos and kick up their heels with their “sole sisters” for an evening of fashion and compassion. The evening will include a multi-designer fashion marketplace featuring Lina Zeineddine, Neiman Marcus, Sway & Cake, The Finerie and more, wine tasting from the region’s top winemakers including De Lille Cellars, O Wines and Woodhouse Wine Estates, charming “Shoe Guys” that will tempt guests with styles ranging from platforms to peep-toes on their silver platters, and delectable nibbles from local chef Kerry Sear and his culinary team at ART Restaurant.

As an exciting new addition to this year’s event, the team at Neiman Marcus will wow VIP guests with a runway fashion show during an exclusive preview hour from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Those who purchase one of these limited tickets will sip sparkling wine while indulging early in marketplace must-haves before taking home a swag bag filled with items valued at over $400. Event Emcee Duell Fisher of Team Photogenic will serve as the official “shoe judge” awarding special gifts to guests for the “Best in Shoe” contest, for which, guests are encouraged to impress by wearing their sassiest shoes.

The event will also feature a limited silent auction with one of-a-kind items as well as fantastic bottles of wine and wine trips. Guests may participate in a prize drawing for the key to the “Ultimate Closet” valued at over $10,000 in goods and services. All event guests will want to dress to impress as Team Photogenic captures their fashion in action “paparazzi” style. All proceeds from the event will support Seattle Children’s Home and their mission to help children and families by providing comprehensive mental health & developmental services. Event tickets start at $125 and group packages are available.

Sure, you could travel all over the world in search of serious skincare, but if you live in Seattle you're lucky enough to have The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel in your own backyard. In addition to being the only spa in the Northwest that offers the Ultra Facial, a treatment that uses micro-current technology and high frequency to non-surgically tone and tighten the skin, the 6,000 square foot spa is now unveiling a new treatment that carefully combines beauty and science in order to achieve amazing anti-aging results. There's a reason celebrities like J.Lo and Madonna love this stuff! Even Victoria Beckham and Rachel Zoe give Intraceuticals facials "glowing" endorsements.

Intraceuticals+ Boosters, a skincare collection designed to completely customize the results of the hyaluronic acid packed Pure Oxygen Facial treatment, made its debut at the Four Seasons Spa last week. The system uses oxygen under pressure to calm the skin and help increase product absorption for maximum results. In just one treatment clients in search of instant gratification can achieve plump, hydrated skin that is red-carpet ready. That alone is precisely why celebrity make-up artists like Gina Brooke, who had done treatments for stars like Madonna and Katy Perry, fell in love with it. She calls it her "cut to the chase" technique when she needs serious results super quickly. She uses the treatment when her celeb clients are getting ready for a photoshoot or special appearance. The results are cumulative and build over time, so clients often see the best results when doing the treatments in a series of 6, spaced one week apart.

If you're into skincare treatments that can help turn back the hands of time, or simply want to delay the gradual signs of aging, this treatment is definitely for you. There are 4 Intraceuticals+ Booster formulations available to address specific skincare concerns including Antioxidant+ to help neutralize free radicals, Collagen+ to visibly lift and tone, Vitamin C+3 to help improve hyperpigmentation, and Vitamin A+ which is great for blemish-prone skin. Unlike typical topicals, these concentrated formulations are delivered to the skin with Intraceuticals’ proprietary hyaluronic technology for instant results you can see and feel. Hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the human body, keeps the skin hydrated, but it decreases with age which is why these treatments are so great, they can provide the skin with a boost of hyaluronic acid to replenish the skin and provide immediate results.

Guests who experience the Oxygen Facial continue to achieve results at home by using the Intraceuticals product line including the Daily Serum formulated with aloe vera to revive the skin, the Hydration Gel to replenish the skin, followed by the Moisture Binding Cream which acts as a final layer to help protect the skin. The products were designed to be used in a specific order determined by each product’s molecular weight in order to truly transform the skin. Without getting too science-y, the technology is pretty unique and there’s a reason it works. In the week or so that I’ve been using the product series I have definitely noticed a difference in my skin’s hydration level. I also love that I can mix a Booster of my choice into the Daily Serum depending on my specific skincare concerns. In the morning, I like to use the Antioxidant booster and in the evening I like the Vitamin A booster so that it can work its magic overnight.

Packages start at $1500 for a series of 6 treatments. It’s not cheap, but neither is a facelift. So if you’ve got anti-aging on your mind, if a special event is in your future, or if you just want to pamper yourself, the Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial at The Spa at Four Seasons just might be for you.

After the careful review of nearly 40 applicants, The Bellevue Collection panel of judges has picked 11 local designers to participate in the 2nd annual Independent Designer Runway Show as part of Bellevue Fashion Week. In partnership with Fashion Group International, the runway show is designed to feature emerging talent in the Seattle market.

Selected Designers

Benu Cashmere by Claire Kim

Corban Harper by Corban Harper

Erin Roby by Erin Roby

Lastwear Clothing Company by Rowan Rhys

Lia Pal by Liuba Palanciuc

Michael Cepress by Michael Cepress

Ozen Company by Aykut Ozen

Paychi Guh by Paychi Karen Guh

Sarsen by Heather Ellrod

Trina Pierre by Trina Kelly

Wyatt Orr by Liise Wyatt & Karly Orr

Over the next few months, the designers will go through a process of mentorship from the panel in order to edit their collection down to the final pieces that will make their debut on the runway. One of the selected designers will receive a prize package that includes $5,000 in cash to help build their business and a special display in Bellevue Square during the month of October. Last year's winner was local designer Carole McClellan.

A big congratulations to all the designers that were picked! Stay tuned for more coverage from Seattle Boutique Blogspot of the Indie Designer Runway Show!

Navigating the Seattle fashion scene is easy when you know where to shop. Here's the inside scoop on Seattle's best places to shop for menswear.

Blackbird

Blackbird’s claim to fame is their well-edited selection of menswear from brands like Robert Geller,Odyn Vovk, Vim Beget, Wings + Horns, A.P.C, The Seventh Seal and more. Blackbird was voted by GQ magazine as one of the top menswear boutiques in the country.

Location: 5410 22nd Ave. NW. Seattle, WA 98107

Website: www.blackbirdballard.com

Twitter: @HelloBlackbirdShopping tip: Check out the Blackbird Apothecary (a few doors down from the shop) for a unique assortment of unisex fragrances, including some local lines!

Twitter: @ianshopShopping tip: From now until April 1st get free shipping when you shop online at IanShop.com by using coupon code FREEIAN.

Zumiez

Founded in 1978 right here in Seattle the first Zumiez store was actually at Northgate mall. The company has since grown to expand all over the country and now has more than 400 stores. Brands carried include Obey, Diamond Supply Co., RVCA, Glamour Kills, Toms, Volcom, DGK and more. Guys can shop for casual clothes, outerwear, full snowboard gear including hardgoods and of course, shoes.

Location: Varies. See website.

Website: www.zumiez.com

Twitter: @ZumiezShopping tip: Check out the online assortment at Zumiez.com for the best selection and possibly free shipping.

Kuhlman

Located in Belltown on first avenue, Kuhlman's of mens (and women's) apparel and accessories from brands like H.W. Carter & Sons, Reyn Spooner, Haryln Clothing, Mia Melon, Barbour, Pendleton and more. Out-of-towners can stay at the Ace Hotel, located just next door to the shop.

Location: 2419 First Ave.Seattle, WA 98121

Website: www.kuhlmanseattle.com

Twitter: N/AShopping tip: Check the website for a current selection of offerings. See something you like? Phone in an order to the store.

David Lawrence

For over two decades David Lawrence has been pushing the limits of fashion here in the Northwest. Owners David & Diana Blackham carry a carefully edited mix of labels for men and women including Hugo Boss, D Squared, Built for Man, Diesel Black Gold, and Versace. David Lawrence is located in Bellevue at The Bravern. Location: 700 110th Ave. N.E.Bellevue, WA 98004

Website: www.david-lawrence.com

On Twitter: @davidlawrencecoShopping tip: Sign up for the mailing list to be the first to hear about trunk shows and special events.

Evo

Located in Fremont, Evo carries apparel and accessories for men and women including a wide variety of snow related hardgoods. Brands include The North Face, Obey, Brixton, Patagonia, Quiksilver, Kr3w and more. In the fall of 2011 the store celebrated it's 10th anniversary! They recently expanded their selection of women's merchandise and customers can easily shop online at evo.com. Location: 3500 Stone Way N. Seattle, WA 98103Website: www.evo.comTwitter: @EvoGearShopping tip: Check the Evo blog for information about current promotions and in-store events.

The spring issue of Styled Right magazine is now available. The locally produced fashion magazine, by Darcy Camden and her team of stylists at Styled Seattle, features articles on everything from seasonal fashion trends to style, fitness and skincare advice. In this month's issue you'll find articles on:

What 6 items you need to add to your wardrobe for spring '13

How to Get Ready in 5 minutes (courtesy of the Pro "Get Ready" Girls at Swink Style Bar)

Comfortable (and stylish) Clothing you can move in - With contributions from the owners of the Seattle-Eastside Bar Method

How to Layer Like a Pro (It's easier than you think!)

DIY Nail Ideas

And, cover girl (and new mom!) Molly Mesnick dishes about her pregnancy style including how a body pillow changed her world and more about what it's like to step into her new role as a mommy (Congrats!)

Next month the magazine is going digital! That's right, starting in April you'll find the next issue of Styled Right magazine in the iTunes newsstand where you can easily subscribe, read and shop directly from your iPad or iPhone. Check out this month's issue of Styled Right magazine today!

Spring is in full bloom at Belltown boutique Karan Dannenberg Clothier. In stock now you'll find a colorful assortment of dresses, pants, light weight jackets, jewelry, sweaters, skirts, handbags and more. You will also find an edited mix of local designers including Cameron Levin, (her Tobillo leggings were recently featured on the cover of Seattle magazine) and Martha Driver's beautiful line, Rock Star Jewelry. Shop local this season and take a peek at what's in store now.

Save the date for a special spring trunk show featuring designer lines Yoana Baraschi and Three Dot taking place in store on April 20th. The event is designed to coincide with Yoana's 10 year anniversary celebration. For more information please visit the Karan Dannenberg Clothier Facebook Fan Page.

Known for a strong focus on classic French tailoring, Façonnable has long been one of the most celebrated international brands in the world. Since 1950 the company, founded in Nice, France has been making apparel and accessories for men and women with an emphasis on refined, casual elegance. Making their debut in the Northwest, Faconnable recently opened a brand new store in Bellevue square. To coincide with the launch, Spring '13 menswear trends by the company were highlighted this morning on New Day Northwest. Key items included tailored denim, gingham and paisley, double breasted jackets in a shorter silhouette and brightly colored suede drivers. Watch the New Day Northwest segment below:

The spring collection is inspired by St. Tropez and the Mediterranean lifestyle that goes along with it. Revisiting the summer suit as separates, pairing a washed linen jacket with colored trousers, and playing with texture and print including suede and paisley are all elements found within the spring collection.

A grand opening celebration for the Bellevue store is taking place tonight from 6-8pm. As part of the grand opening, Faconnable is donating 15% of all sales now through March 24th to The Bellevue Youth Theatre Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to developing youth and community through increased accessibility to performing arts.

Check out a behind the scenes video from the Faconnable Spring/Summer 2013 photoshoot in St. Tropez.

Seattle boutique Charley + May is hosting a Tiny Carnival this Saturday from 12-5pm. The event will feature music, prizes, beverages and games. You'll also get to check out VANMOOF Bikes, a commuter bike designed in Amsterdam while you're in the store and peruse other indie lines including Servello, a line of organic skincare, and Namu, a local clothing line. Charley + May also carries a great assortment of Tokyo Milk products (which make great gifts!) and an edited assortment of jewelry from local designers like Michelle Lenae.

Shopping Tip:
Make a day of it and work your way down the Queen Anne strip. Start at Charley + May, cross the street to Queen Anne Dispatch, the head over to Boston Street for lunch at Grub. After lunch, continue back down Queen Anne Avenue headed South to stop by Three Birds, before continuing on to check out the brand new Queen Anne Bookstore. After shopping for books treat yourself to a Cuban Coffee from El Diablo and then check out the great cards, home decor and toy assortment at Stuhlbergs.

Charley + May Co.

2225 Queen Anne Avenue N.

Seattle, Wa 98109

*UPDATE: Please note this is an old post and Charley + May is no longer in business. We wish Lauren Formicola and her team all the best!

Lisa Hunter of Vian Hunter House of Fashion wants to share her design experience with the community. The Madison Valley designer and boutique owner was featured on Season One of NBC's Fashion Star has been featured in numerous local fashion shows and national publications since then. She is now hosting several fashion design workshops out of her Madison Valley boutique in an effort to share her industry experience with others. The line-up of courses includes the Pencil Workshop, a 4-hour group session designed to help students make a custom pattern and sew a pencil skirt, Sewing 101, a 2-hour class to learn the basics of sewing, Design and Patternmaking, a 4-hour course focusing on the creation of a custom pattern and original garment, and last but not least, the Young Designers Workshop, aimed at students 13-19 years old who are interested in fashion design. The 7-week workshop is perfect for aspiring fashion designers who are working on sewing, pattern making, sketching and portfolio pieces. The Young Designers Workshop series will end with a grand finale runway show and portfolio presentation. For more information call 206.860.5030.

While my site is mainly dedicated to local designers and boutiques from time to time I also like to feature Seattle-based companies too. This week's spotlight is on Zumiez, based right here in Lynnwood, Washington. They've been working hard on refining their juniors merchandise and the assortment for spring looks really good! In stock now you'll find a great assortment of spring break essentials including dresses, denim shorts, beanies, light tanks and swim suits. Take a look.

Meet Sydney

Sydney Mintle is a fashion blogger based in Seattle. She began writing about the local shopping scene back in 2008 and has been sharing her love of indie designers and boutiques with readers all over the world ever since.